501.BB Palestine/4–2248: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
488. For Henderson and McClintock from Kopper. Following is summary of conversation which took place early yesterday evening between Prince Faisal, Sheikh Hafiz Wehba, and Sheikh Alireza of Saudi Arabian delegation to Special GA and Jessup and Kopper:
Conversation took place in Faisal’s apartment after it had been suggested to Saudi Arabian delegation that it might be helpful for two delegations to exchange views regarding draft US working paper on trusteeship agreement for Palestine. Conversation lasted almost two hours. Alireza acted as interpreter.
[Page 848]Faisal commenced conversation with general observations expressing Arab attitude regarding current situation in Palestine, trusteeship as a principle, immigration, land policy duration of trusteeship, and other matters.
Faisal declared Arabs were concerned about establishment of trusteeship. Experience of Arabs during past 25 years with mandate system had been unsatisfactory. They were inclined therefore to look with apprehension on trusteeship in light of this experience. He expressed view that in any event trusteeship should be in conformity with UN Charter. He did not think US paper followed Charter in some respects, particularly immigration. He observed other trusteeship agreements did not have provisions for immigration. He wondered what sort of UN agency would actually be the administering authority for Palestine. He said trusteeship agreement, termination of which was dependent upon achieving agreement between Jews and Arabs, was unsound. Jews would never agree to plan for government of Palestine until they had succeeded in bringing in sufficient number of immigrants to point where Jews were in majority in Palestine. Faisal also felt that there would have to be more adequate provisions on question of land policy. In addition, he thought powers vested in governor-general left little to peoples of Palestine who were in reality able to govern themselves.
Faisal continued by saying Arab states were anxious to cooperate with US in finding just solution for Palestine question. It was his opinion, however, that US had not been firm enough in face of Jewish demands. He stated Zionist demands for their own state were recent in origin and that at time of Balfour Declaration and as recent as 1939 Zionists had no idea of achieving a national state. It was only because of the support which they were able to obtain in this country that they pressed their aspirations to the point of establishing a state. He said Arab states had clearly demonstrated their desire to cooperate in finding a solution. Arabs were willing to support system in Palestine which would guarantee fullest protection to minorities. Arab governments could not, however, be unaware of public opinion at home. Public opinion in Arab states would not stand for Arab governments agreeing to solution which was unjust to Arabs of Palestine.
Jessup replied along following lines:
After expressing appreciation to Faisal for his frank and openly expressed views he assured latter that US was aware of Arab feeling regarding mandate system. He pointed out however trusteeship proposal contained in US working paper gave Arabs great measure of self-government. Jessup also explained that we were making a concerted effort to find solution to fill vacuum which might exist in the very near future in Palestine. We had come to conclusion that trusteeship was the most equitable and just method for solving situation at this time. He explained that UN trusteeship with Trusteeship Council [Page 849] in [charge of?] administration seemed more desirable to US than single trusteeship. Regarding question of whether US had been firm enough with Jewish demands, Jessup pointed out to Faisal that it must be quite apparent to latter that US Government was being attacked by sympathizers of Zionist cause for being too lenient in face of Arab demands.
On subject of immigration, Jessup pointed out to Faisal that US had been willing to face up to this most difficult problem by incorporating a provision on it in draft trusteeship articles. This was an effort to assist in solving DP problem and find formula which would be acceptable to both parties. Faisal asked why Palestine should absorb all Jewish DP’s. He thought Palestine had received fair share. In addition, recent immigration of Jewish persons to Palestine had been from Eastern Europe and were not legitimate DP’s, Jessup pointed out to Faisal that US believed that any article on immigration in trusteeship agreement should insure that only legitimate DP’s be allowed in Palestine. Faisal was reminded of remarks made by Secretary on subject last October. Jessup observed that we thought some progress had been made in US Congress regarding entry of DP’s into US.
Conversation then turned to truce. Faisal thought an impartial commission might be useful and he said Arabs would cooperate in truce if it were very clear that its terms would be fairly applied to both sides and that Jewish groups would not continue to follow political ambitions. It was pointed out that SC resolution contained stipulation on importation of armaments and entry of fighting personnel. He had raised questions about these points and did not seem to be thoroughly apprised of the content of the SC resolution.
Conversation then turned back to trusteeship and Faisal reiterated necessity for finding more suitable article on termination. He then remarked that one major factor which ought to be taken into consideration by US was danger of communism in Near East. Jessup assured him US was quite well-aware of problem of communism. There ensued an interchange regarding amount of Communist infiltration into Palestine during recent years and number of Communists on Pan York and Pan Crescent. After 10 or 15 minutes inconclusive discussion on this subject, Jessup suggested conversation be resumed Thursday and that we discuss trusteeship proposal article by article.
Conclusion: Though evidently apprehensive regarding trusteeship, Faisal at no time dismissed it as possible solution. On contrary, it appears that, if articles on immigration, land policy, and termination can be drafted more specifically, likelihood of Arab acceptance of trusteeship plan is strong.